OUR LEADERSSouthwest council of AGRIBUSINESS officers |
| JIM SUGAREK; BEEVILLE, TEXAS – PRESIDENT A sixth-generation farmer in Beeville, Texas, where he lives alongside his wife Gina and daughter Samantha. He raises primarily corn, cotton, wheat, milo, and cattle. He also currently serves as the Texas Corn Producers Association's President and has been on the association's board since 2018. Previously, he served on multiple National Corn Growers Association action teams and as a liaison for the state association to the national team. The Sugareks are also co-owners of the Blue Ribbon Country Store in Beeville, Texas. Barry Evans; Tulia, TEXAS – 1st VICE PRESIDENTBarry has been farming in Swisher County Texas for the majority of his life. His main areas of production include cotton, grain sorghum, and cattle. He has been a dedicated member to Plains Cotton Growers and currently serves on their Board of Directors. Additionally, he has served on multiple National Cotton Council Committees and was previously President and Chairman of the Cotton Foundation. Otis Johnson; Seminole, Texas – 2nd Vice PresidentA well respected peanut grower in West Texas. Otis is currently the President of the Western Peanut Growers and has been well involved in the association throughout his farming career. He has farmed peanuts and cotton in the Seminole area for over 20 years and has been a strong advocate for the agriculture industry throughout his career. L. G. RAUN; EL CAMPO, TEXAS – PAST-PRESIDENTA rice producer from El Campo, Texas. He is currently the chairman of the Texas Rice Producers Legislative Group and a board member of the USA Rice Federation. He also serves as the rice representative of the Texas Ag Council and the Texas Rice Industry Coalition for the Environment. LG is a third-generation farmer and remains active in his community with his wife Linda.KODY BESSENT; LUBBOCK, TEXAS — SECRETARY/TREASURER Current CEO of the Plains Cotton Growers, Kody has been a key player in the promotion of high plains cotton. Previously, he was Vice President of Operations and Legislative Affairs for PCG, Vice President of Legislative Affairs for the Texas Wheat Producers Board, and Legislative Affairs Director for the High Plains Water District. Kody has been a strong advocate of the agriculture industry and is also a cotton producer in Lubbock County. JIMMY CLARK; LUBBOCK, TEXAS - EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Jimmy is a familiar and respected force for Agriculture in the Southwest Region. Having served as district representative for Congressman Combest and as Deputy Chief of Staff for his successor Congressman Randy Neugebauer for 23 years, Jimmy understands the issues that are important to business and agriculture, and has dedicated a career to improving economic opportunity for the region. In addition to his life of public service, Jimmy has continued to build and improve a third generation family farming operation near Acuff, Texas. |
